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Is It PCOS or Something Else? Study Links PCOS to Many Other Conditions

We have come a long way in understanding polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and how we can help women who are living with it. One of the major things that we know is that PCOS can cause other medical conditions – and because of this, this syndrome is misdiagnosed in many women, or the symptoms are often overlooked. Not only that, but studies now show that PCOS leads to poorer overall health for women who suffer from it. So, because September is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Month, we wanted to take a deeper dive into PCOS, and a study that has linked it to poorer health and more medication use in women.

What Is PCOS?

uterus illustration — *Polycystic ovary syndrome is when the ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens.*

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which the ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens, male sex hormones that are usually present in women in small amounts. This hormonal imbalance causes the body to skip menstrual periods, and makes it harder for women with PCOS to get pregnant, and can even cause infertility.

PCOS also causes hair growth on the face and body, as well as balding. Not only that, but women with PCOS are more likely to develop certain serious health problems like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, sleep appear, endometrial cancer, and depression.

The condition can be diagnosed through an ultrasound, which will look at the size of ovaries to see if they have cysts, or through blood tests to look for high levels of androgens. Unfortunately, though, the exact cause of PCOS is not clear.

The Finnish Study

Researchers in Finland have been studying PCOS, and are urging us to look at it as more than just a problem with the reproductive system. “I have been working on PCOS for over 20 years and during this time I have seen the emerging evidence that instead of labeling PCOS as an infertility problem, we should consider PCOS as a health risk,” Terhi T. Piltonen, MD, an OB/GYN and reproductive medicine consultant and a clinical researcher at the University of Oulu in Finland.

Dr. Piltonen and colleagues used data to evaluate the risks in over 200 women who reported oligomenorrhea (infrequent menstrual periods), amenorrhea (the absence of menstruation), and hirsutism (excessive hair growth on unexpected areas of the body) by age 31 and/or a PCOS diagnosis by age 46. Participants reported their diagnoses and symptoms, overall health status, and medicine use through a questionnaire administered at age 46.

The Findings

illustration of a woman with her hand on her head crying — *According to the study, almost 35% of women experienced a migraine.*

According to the study, a greater proportion of women with PCOS reported hypertension (30.4% vs. 17.9%); diabetes mellitus type 2 (6.7% vs. 2.2%); depression (20.5% vs. 14%); migraine (34.2% vs. 24.7%); knee, back or shoulder osteoarthritis (26.8% vs. 18.1%); fractures (24.5% vs. 16.8%); gestational diabetes (30.2% vs. 25.1%); preeclampsia (15.5% vs. 8.7%) and endometriosis (13.4% vs. 8.4%) compared with women who did not have PCOS.

Women with PCOS were also more likely to have autoimmune diseases, such as joint pain and joint swelling, and recurrent upper respiratory tract infections and symptoms, such as multiple incidences of pneumonia. They were also more susceptible to infections compared with other people.

Overall, women with PCOS had a greater risk for morbidity compared with women who did not have PCOS.

Seeking Treatment

These are disturbing findings, but there are ways to control symptoms. Some common treatments for the condition include:

Birth control– Taking a form of hormonal birth control can restore a normal balance of hormones and relieve symptoms like excess hair growth.
Metformin- This drug is usually used to treat type 2 diabetes, but it can also help treat PCOS by improving insulin levels.
Diet and exercise- A healthy diet and more physical activity can help you lose weight and reduce symptoms, as well as help your body use insulin more efficiently.
Surgery- This is an option to improve fertility if other treatments do not work.

Health Insurance Plans For PCOS

It is possible to control PCOS symptoms and regain your confidence and health. One of the most important factors in getting the help you need for PCOS is your health insurance plan. Before purchasing a plan, make sure you understand what coverage it offers, and make sure it will cover evaluation and treatment.

If you’re not sure what plan is right for you, speak to an EZ agent! EZ agents are highly trained and knowledgeable and will sort through all available plans to make sure that treatments for conditions like PCOS are covered in yours.

We offer a wide range of health insurance plans from top-rated insurance companies in every state. And because we work with so many companies, and can offer all of the plans available in your area, we can find you a plan that saves you a lot of money – even hundreds of dollars – even if you don’t qualify for a subsidy. There is no obligation, or hassle, just free quotes on all available plans in your area. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

Unemployed? Get the Cheapest Functional Health Insurance With The Help of EZ

If you’ve lost your job or have chosen to leave your job, you’ve probably also lost your health insurance. And while it might seem like health insurance will be out of your reach now that you’re no longer working, there are very affordable plans for unemployed people. In fact, these plans can cost as low as $47 per month or less! The best way to find these types of plans is by working with an EZ agent, who can compare plans with great rates and coverage in your area within minutes, for free!

Special Enrollment Periods

If you lose your job, you qualify for what’s known as a Special Enrollment Period, because losing your job is considered a qualifying life event. This means you won’t have to wait for the annual Open Enrollment Period to purchase a plan. Not only that, but you will have many options available to you, whether you would like a short-term plan with a higher deductible, which is generally for healthier people, or are looking for a more comprehensive plan for you and your family.

Your Options

If you’ve lost your job, you have a variety of options for insurance coverage, including:

ACA Plans– You can head to your state’s Marketplace and look for private health insurance. You will have multiple coverage tiers to choose from, each with a different cost-sharing structure. Because of the wide range of plans available, you should be able to find an affordable plan that meets your coverage needs. In addition, you cannot be denied coverage if you have a pre-existing condition.
Joining a family member’s plan– Another option for you would be to hop onto your spouse’s plan if they are working and have insurance. If you lose your insurance, you are automatically qualified for a 30-day Special Enrollment Period to get on your spouse’s employer-based plan.
Medicaid- States look at your current income when deciding if you qualify for assistance from this program. Eligibility varies by state, but the monthly income limits are generally $1,470 for an individual and $3,000 for a family of four.
COBRA– With this program, you can extend your employer’s coverage for up to 18 months. However, it is important to note that COBRA can be quite expensive because you are required to pay your entire premium.
Short-term health insurance– These plans will provide you with quick coverage, since you can sign up at any time, but the benefits are not as comprehensive as those of traditional health insurance. You will have a lower monthly premium and a higher deductible with these kinds of plans, and there is usually a medical questionnaire to qualify for them.

More Affordable Coverage?

While the price of employer-based health insurance varies, it’s generally fairly affordable for people with families, because your employer usually chips in and pays some money towards your premiums. But the good news is that you might be able to get even more affordable coverage while you are unemployed through the ACA Marketplace.

You can get coverage regardless of your income, and the amount you’ll pay is based on your expected annual income. That means, if your expected income is $0 right now, you could get a plan for as low as $47 a month. In addition, you might also qualify for premium tax credits, which are subsidies that reduce the monthly cost of your health insurance and also give you cost-sharing reductions.

If you have recently lost your job, EZ will help you find an affordable plan to cover your healthcare needs. We will provide you with a personal agent who will compare all available plans in your area, and find one that fits your needs. To get started, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak with an agent, call 888-350-1890. Our promise is that we will help you find a great, affordable plan, so you can remain healthy and safe during these hard times. EZ’s services are free of charge because our focus is on making sure that you feel supported throughout your search for insurance, not on making money off of you.

Health Insurance Premiums Expected to Rise

Inflation has been on the rise for some time now, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to be slowing down anytime soon. The rising costs of gas and groceries have been tough on many Americans, and as if that wasn’t enough, health insurance premiums are now expected to increase, as well. The reasons for the increase include the effects of the pandemic, shrinking tax credits, prices set by drug manufacturers, and other health care costs. And unless Congress extends the expanded subsidies for Marketplace coverage, premiums could increase by 50% for some. Don’t panic yet, though: there are ways that you can save.

Tax Credits Disappearing

stopwatch approaching the word deadline — *The American Rescue Plan Act was approved for only 2 years, which means tax credits are coming to an end next year.*

The American Rescue Plan Act, which was signed into law in March 2021, allowed Americans earning any amount of money to enjoy tax credits or premium subsidies, and also capped the amount that anyone pays for premiums at 8.5% of their income. Unfortunately, though, Congress put a two-year limit on these provisions, and at the end of this time, premiums are set to rise by more than 50% on average for people getting health coverage through a Marketplace plan.

“The default is that the expanded subsidies will expire at the end of this year,” said Cynthia Cox, a vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation and director of its Affordable Care Act program. “On average, premiums would go up more than 50%, but for some, it will be more.”

And if Congress does not extend the expanded tax credits, only people with household incomes of 100% to 400% of the federal poverty level will qualify for subsidies.

Increases in Drug Prices

What’s making the problem worse is that the prices of new drugs in the U.S. have climbed for more than a decade. According to a research letter published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the launch prices of new brand-name drugs increased by nearly 11% every year from 2008 through 2021.

Eric Linzer, President and CEO of the NY Health Plan Association, says state legislatures are also contributing to higher premium costs, specifically with bills that prohibit any kind of change in health plan formularies (or the list of prescription drugs covered by insurance plans). For example, Bill S.4111/A.4668 would prohibit health insurance plans from making mid-year pharmacy formulary changes, resulting in higher health insurance premiums and exacerbating the increasing cost of drugs. graph going upwards with a green arrow

In addition, several states have passed legislation that prohibits the use of copay accumulator adjustment programs (CAAP), or accumulator adjustment programs. These programs seek to reverse the impact of manufacturer cost-sharing assistance for prescription drugs by not counting the manufacturer assistance amount towards a patient’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximums. If the co-pay assistance is not counted against the patient’s deductibles and coinsurance amounts, it will drive up the patient’s health care costs overall.

“If we’re going to get those costs under control and make premiums more affordable for individuals and employers it’s important that policymakers look at what the underlying costs are. 82% or more of the premium dollar goes to pay for doctors visits, hospital stays, prescription drug costs,” said Linzer.

Find Affordable Health Insurance

Even though health insurance costs are rising, it doesn’t mean you can’t find an affordable plan that provides the coverage you need. And remember, it’s always better to get a plan before an accident happens, or a chronic condition develops or worsens.

EZ provides you with easy, instant, accurate quotes with no strings attached. Your own personal advisor will provide you with instant quotes and a comparison of all the other top plans available. Not only will you save time and money, but you also won’t have to pay us a cent for our services. We have the technology and network to cut hours of time spent comparing plans down to seconds. When you visit our site, you’ll leave with complete details and comparisons from dozens of plans available to you. These come from our team of experts, who filter all insurance plans to find the most suitable to your health needs and budget.

Don’t waste any more time missing out on savings! To get your instant quotes, enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent, call 888-350-1890.

Stressed Out and Anxious About Money? Ease Your Stress with the Help of an EZ Agent!

Is money a major source of stress in your life? If you’re stressing over money, you’re not alone, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. But money is not the only thing stressing people out: in fact, studies show that 84% of Americans feel stressed over something in their lives at least once in a typical week.

And if you’re already stressed out and anxious about money, looking for a great health insurance plan can feel a bit overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be. EZ’s agents work with the top insurance companies in the nation, so we can take a load off your shoulders and find you an affordable plan in minutes!

Sources of Stress

Studies show that money remains Americans’ top stressor, with 32% saying money is their biggest source of stress, up 22% from last year. But money is not the only source of stress in people’s lives:

Gen Zers and Millennials both name their boss as their biggest source of stress, while Gen Xers and Baby Boomers say their spouse or partner causes them more stress than any other person.
44% of Americans say the pandemic has been the most stressful time in their entire lives. This is especially true for those laid off or furloughed during the crisis (59%) and parents with kids younger than 18 (58%), as well as Gen Zers (54%) and Millennials (51%).

Rising Stress Levels and Their Effects on Health

It’s clear that stress levels are rising for everyone, especially women: 92% of women feel stressed at least one day in a given week, up from 84% last year. And these high levels of stress can really affect people’s lives, even leading to chronic conditions like high blood pressure and depression. Studies show that stress can also cause:

Irritability and anger in around 45% of people
Fatigue or low energy in around 41% of people
Anxiety, nervousness, or worry in around 36% of people
Headaches in around 36 % of people
Indigestion, acid reflux, or upset stomach in around 26% of people

In addition, long-term stress is often a contributing factor in many of the leading causes of death in the United States, including heart disease, cancer, lung disease, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.

Looking For An Affordable Plan?

All of this stress and its effects mean that we’re more in need of good insurance than ever. In fact, around 75%–90% of doctor visits in the United States are in some way related to stress. We all need to take care of ourselves right now, but if your main source of stress is money, that can feel difficult to do.

But don’t stress – EZ can help! We offer a wide range of health insurance plans from top-rated insurance companies in every state. And because we work with so many companies, and can see all of the plans available in your area, we can find you a plan that saves you a lot of money – even hundreds of dollars – even if you don’t qualify for a subsidy. There is no obligation, or hassle, just free quotes on all available plans in your area. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

Are Hair Loss Treatments Covered by Health Insurance?

Hair loss is a distressing reality for many men as they age, as well as for many women. In fact, did you know that around 50% of all women start losing their hair by the time they’re 50 years old? For some men and women, hair loss begins even earlier, and can even lead to depression. Fortunately, there are various hair loss treatments available nowadays, with new ones being introduced as technology advances. But for women and men desperate to get their hair back, will their health insurance plans cover these treatments?

The Causes of Hair Loss

hair loss on a man's scalp — *Hair loss is becoming more common in adults, and could be due to a variety of reasons.*

More than 1 in 5 Americans will experience hair loss in their lifetime. 95% of this hair loss is genetic, caused by what’s known as androgenetic alopecia. One of the most common causes of androgenetic alopecia is a chemical called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which attacks the hair follicles.

But not all hair loss is genetic. “Some medical conditions can also cause hair loss,” William Yates, MD, a board-certified hair loss expert based in Chicago, Illinois says. “Severe or sudden weight loss, deficiencies of iron, protein, or vitamin D3, thyroid disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and a myriad of other health problems may lead to hair loss,” Yates says.

Hair Loss Treatments

As we mentioned earlier, there are various hair loss treatments available, such as:

Hair transplant surgery– A surgeon removes hair from a part of the head that has hair and transplants it to the bald spots.
Medication– Over-the-counter drugs like Minoxidil can help regrow hair or slow the rate of hair loss. In addition, Finasteride, a drug that treats enlarged prostate, can help regrow hair in thinning spots.
Laser therapy- The Food and Drug Administration has approved a low-level laser device as a treatment for hereditary hair loss in men and women.

Does Health Insurance Cover Hair Loss Treatment?

In most cases, health insurance plans will not cover hair loss treatment or any consultations for these treatments. This is because hair loss treatment is considered a cosmetic procedure, and insurers argue that hair loss does not affect your daily life as an injury or illness would. Unfortunately, insurers still have a long way to go in realizing that hair loss can affect daily life, since it can actually lead to mental health issues in some people. illustration of a doctor with a woman and her hair brush full of hair

There are some cases in which a condition that can cause hair loss, such as PCOS, will be covered by health insurance, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that treatment for the resulting hair loss will be covered.

In the meantime, some lifestyle changes can help restore some of your hair, such as eating a vitamin-rich diet, taking over-the-counter biotin, or even trying holistic remedies, such as massaging rosemary oil into your scalp 2-3 times a week.

Looking For An Affordable Plan?

Even though most health insurance plans will not cover hair loss treatments, many plans can help treat conditions that might be the cause of hair loss. Before choosing a plan, make sure you understand what coverage it offers, and make sure it will cover evaluation and treatment for any conditions you need covered.

We offer a wide range of health insurance plans from top-rated insurance companies in every state. And because we work with so many companies, and can see all of the plans available in your area, we can find you a plan that saves you a lot of money – even hundreds of dollars – even if you don’t qualify for a subsidy. There is no obligation, or hassle, just free quotes on all available plans in your area. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

Does Your Insurance Plan Cover Lasik?

Do you wear glasses and/or contact lenses? Ever wish you could get rid of them and be able to see without them? Imagine the freedom of waking up and not seeing the world as a blur until you put on your glasses or pop in your contacts! That’s why people opt to get Lasik surgery – to live this dream – but is this surgery covered by your health insurance plan?

Glasses/Contacts Wearing by the Numbers

According to the Vision Council of America, approximately 75% of adults require some sort of vision correction. Around 64% of them wear eyeglasses, and around 11% wear contact lenses, either exclusively, or with glasses. Some other stats to consider:

Over half of all women and around 42% of men wear glasses. Similarly, more women than men, 18% and 14% respectively, wear contacts. Of those who use both contacts and eyeglasses, 62% wear contact lenses more often.
Approximately 30% of the American population is near-sighted and needs to wear glasses for activities like driving. In general, though, these people have no trouble with activities that require seeing things up close, such as reading.
Around 60% of Americans are far-sighted, and have trouble reading or sewing without glasses, but can focus well at a distance.
The majority of young people who wear glasses are near-sighted.
As people age, they are more likely to need vision correction for far-sightedness.
Around 25% of people who wear glasses to see distances will end up needing reading glasses or bifocals as they grow older.

Lasik Surgery

If you’re tired of wearing glasses or contacts, Lasik surgery could be an option for permanent vision correction. Lasik is a type of eye surgery during which a surgeon uses a laser to create a flap in the cornea, then raises the cornea and reshapes it.

Around 700,000 Lasik surgeries are performed each year, and the surgery has a good track record, often helping people achieve 20/20 vision or better! Certain side effects, particularly dry eyes and temporary visual disturbances (such as glare), are fairly common. But these usually clear up after a few weeks or months, and very few people consider them to be a long-term problem.

Does Health Insurance Cover Lasik?

Unfortunately, most insurance plans don’t cover Lasik or other types of corrective eye surgery because they view it as an elective, or voluntary, procedure. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you will have to pay full price. Your insurance company may offer discounts on Lasik as a policyholder perk, and if you would like to find a plan that offers this, EZ can help!

We work with the top-rated insurance companies in the nation and can compare all available plans in your area within minutes. That means we’ll be able to find you a more comprehensive health insurance plan that offers great vision care! It is possible to find a great plan that will help with the cost of Lasik surgery, if you would like to have it. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a licensed agent, call 888-350-1890. No obligation!

Tag: health insurance help

Is It PCOS or Something Else? Study Links PCOS to Many Other Conditions

What Is PCOS?

The Finnish Study

The Findings

Seeking Treatment

Health Insurance Plans For PCOS

Unemployed? Get the Cheapest Functional Health Insurance With The Help of EZ

Special Enrollment Periods

Your Options

More Affordable Coverage?

Health Insurance Premiums Expected to Rise

Tax Credits Disappearing

Increases in Drug Prices

Find Affordable Health Insurance

Stressed Out and Anxious About Money? Ease Your Stress with the Help of an EZ Agent!

Sources of Stress

Rising Stress Levels and Their Effects on Health

Looking For An Affordable Plan?

Are Hair Loss Treatments Covered by Health Insurance?

The Causes of Hair Loss

Hair Loss Treatments

Does Health Insurance Cover Hair Loss Treatment?

Looking For An Affordable Plan?

Does Your Insurance Plan Cover Lasik?

Glasses/Contacts Wearing by the Numbers

Lasik Surgery

Does Health Insurance Cover Lasik?

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